Most of this path is surfaced, but the farm road turns up to the right and we go straight on on a slightly muddy path between fences, then turn right up a lane, then follow roads (the A517 has a pavement) to Blackbrook, where we turn right onto Plains Lane. We reach a muddy unsurfaced lane and turn right, then pick our way through fields and over a steep sided wooded stream to reach Lambhuose Lane, where we go straight on on another little used path. At the next lane we go left a short distance to pick up another little used field path - at the point where the map shows a diagonal move to the right, beware of going too low as the gap that takes us into the scrubby wood is further left than the definitive line. Once beyond the surfaced farm tracks, the next path is also little used and very overgrown in places - there are places where the definitive line goes through a narrow overgrown area between hedges but it is easier to stay in the field to the right/north. Here it is easy to lose the path again, as the exit to the first field is in the top left corner, where the definitive line is much further right. The next part of the path through the riverside meadows is easy if a little wet in places, but as we bear right towards Agnesmeadow Lane there is one cow pasture to cross which was very churned up and soggy, and the mud got into my boots....

Hugh Hudson

This route is very poorly plotted....

Ken

From the meeting point outside Derby bus station, we go right twice to reach the riverside path, which we follow over Exeter Bridge (where there is a choice of steps or ramps), Beyond the Museum of Making, we go left to the road (the riverside path is closed here because of damaged and potentally unsafe duckboards, though there is no obvious notice or fence at the south end, and it is possible to escape at the north end by climbing a low wall). Where the cycle track heads right across the fields, we stay by the river on a narrower path, that leads to a bridge which we cross to reach Folly Road. Eventually we go under the main road bridge, where a shortcut path goes right up steps to reach the wide cycle track on Abbey Hill. At the T junction (Riggs Lane) we go sharp left to reach Duffield Road, where we cross and turn right using the pavement on the west side. There are steps at the crossing of Shaw Lane, where we go straight on, following the right edge of a small wood then crossing in front of Wildersley Farm to join Wildersley Road, a narrow farm lane that takes a dead straight course down then up to Holbrook Road, where we turn right....

Hugh Hudson

Crossing Coppice Brook, we take the wide track left out to Mlll Lane, then go right up the hill to an oddly large road junction, where we turn left into Kirk Lane, which soon becomes a narrow farm track. We pass a farm and shortly afterwards head downhill on a path through fields to another farm, where we go straight on down another farm lane then right along another. We go straight on up Over Lane and right along Overwood Lane then right again (using the fenced path just left of the Hilltop Farm lane), then down the lane to cross the A38 on a bridge....

Hugh Hudson

On Wyver lane watch out for the path heading up the hedgerow to reach Wyver farm. Soon after we reach Belper Lane End ( good pub !). Alongside the road to leave the hamlet but watch out for the path through the stable yard that climbs to meet Wilderbrook Lane....

StephenWalker

At the bottom of the hill we follow a path diverted along the side of the A38 to get to the track which crosses the overbridge and climbs to Hilltop Farm. We cross the road to enter the park and follow good tracks downhill to reach the car park on High Pavement....

StephenWalker

Where the path follows a riverside path east of the Silk Mill, the route is temporarily blocked by barriers, and you need to use the road underpass instead....

StephenWalker

More steps or a loop to reach a huge bridge to safely pass under the road then follow the riverside path because the definitive line is invisible across perfect turf. The settlement of Darley Abbey is worth this minor detour but I don't think the Slow Way offers the best route to Derby, paths through the park by the river would be a better choice. A part of the riverside path was closed but the detour was simple although not signed. The final approach to the meeting place offers the best of Derby's riverside....

Ken

It had been dry for about a month until the couple of days before, even so many of the field paths (and particularly gateways) were wet and muddy. I would agree with previous reviewers about the state of the paths in places and the way in which the actual paths are not where the 1:25k map shows them, especially across the land restored after opencast....

StephenWalker

Leaving the meeting point in Heanor market place, we head west along Market Street then left onto Ray Street, which leads us to Derby Road, where it is best to turn left down and cross using the pelican crossing by the Baptist Church. Here we turn left, then right in front of the Bulls Head (which is now open again), crossing more muddy fields and even muddier wooded sections to emerge on the fields above the Denby factory, then past Smithy Houses to emerge on Ryknield Hill by the Derby Road junction. We turn left on a track that leads back up the hill and becomes a field path that eventually reaches a better path that goes right down the hill....

Hugh Hudson

Beautiful and direct route with some great views and a range of terrains. Very wet and muddy this time of year, and not all paths through fields are immediately clear. Lots of stiles so not accessible for wheelchairs....

roy

Due to structural issues, the Darley Abbey bridge is closed to pedestrians until July at the earliest. This will be reviewed in July after emergency repairs have taken place I will keep this route under review and will update once I have further news....

Lynn Jackson

Ashbourne stands on higher ground than Belper so the route is downhill but the hills approaching Belper hide this fact, however these hills do offer excellent views and the route as a whole is through pleasant countryside. Crossing to Down'ards might offer a better route. The plotted route later crosses the brook and here the ground is boggy perhaps even in dryer conditions as two streams need crossing. So another route might be to climb to higher ground via Atlow Moat Farm because there is another very wet section on the plotted path by the moat. Then it's basically down but there are issues so a revision might offer a better route. Highway Act 1980 section 137 and 143, plus compliance to British Standard 5709. The approach to Blackbrook is across a large ploughed field (9) clearly the farmer is not aware of the Highway Act 1980 section 134 (3) make good the surface and indicate the line of the path on the ground. And finally, onto my favourite section of the Highway Act 1980 sec 130 “It is the duty of the highway authority (HA) to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway for which they are the highway authority, including any roadside waste which form part of it.” Now you may perhaps wonder what this has to do with footpaths...

Ken

The start of the walk at Belper (photo 1) is less than 100 metres from a great little café called The Filling Station (next to the bus station) where you can get a superb breakfast for a very reasonable price (what3words: ///will.online.dunk). The footpath confusion happens again at ‘Ruth’s Hill’ (officially called Red Hill) as you walk into Little Eaton (///bats.prove.sprint) – photo 5. This is also a public footpath, so ignore the sign into the cemetery – walk up the drive until you see steps facing you (the drive curves left). Although the gpx route suggests that you walk through them, it will not add to your journey to walk along the side path next to the turf (photo 7)....

Lynn Jackson

I walked this route Heanor to Belper and found it most enjoyable through green countryside with some good views mostly grass fields so some livestock and stiles. Entering the field is entering another world good grass and distant views, a family were attempting to fly a kite as I passed. It's a bit depressing to imagine these fields are the next to accommodate houses, still enjoy them while we can. A wonderful view over the sprawling houses of Belper then through fields that again appear to be just waiting for the developer to move in....

Ken

A Co-op offer a chance to stock up on drink and energy bars or if walking into Ripley take away food is available. Openwoodgate on the fringe of Belper offers an Inn and a Co-op before skirting around the sprawling town through green fields shared with cattle....

Ken

For transport to intermediate points on the route, there are bus stops 550 metres off the route at Duffield for services from Derby or Belper. Bus stops on the route in Little Eaton serve Derby and other places in the direction of Hucknall....

AF63

The first half is quite hilly with open aspects across meadows. There are more good pubs at both Ashbourne and Belper....

Timb

I thinking a good detour would be to take the path just before Blackwall South to Biggin and then take the path West to rejoin the route at Gibfield which avoids avoid all this road section. Great food and real Ale at the Black Swan at Idrigehay...

Julian Darke

The exception was about 100m of road walking at Belper Lane end where caution will be needed. It was particularly muddy through the yard of Wyver Farm, soon after leaving Belper, and along Pratthall Lane, on the approach into wirksworth....

Brian in Belper

The Derwent Valley Mills and the River Derwent was designated a World Heritage Site in December 2001 and this route starts in the mill town of Belper and passes more mills at Milford, Duffield Bank and finally, the Silk Mill (Museum) at Derby. The route includes a section of road walking but there is a safe pavement. There are alternative routes between Belper and Derby but they would require more elevation gain and would possibly not hold the same historic interest....

Brian in Belper

great views on this walk often 360 degrees over several counties. regular busses between Belper and Wirksworth...

Julian Darke

Several good pubs in Belper & Wirksworth and the excellent Bulls Head on route....

Timb

South of Carsington Water there is a almost certainly a better route on footpaths via Biggin to Idridgehay which avoids a lot of road. I haven't walked enough of those paths to recommend a detailed route....

Malcolm Boura